Influencers Lesson Plan

The VotesforSchools lesson plan for Primary Years 5-7 poses an intriguing question: "Does the internet make us want to copy others?" This lesson is designed to engage students in a thoughtful discussion about online safety and the influence of the internet on their behavior. The lesson starts with a feedback session where the whole class reviews the results from the previous week's topic, providing a continuity of learning and engagement with current issues.

At the heart of the lesson are interactive activities that encourage students to reflect on their actions and the actions of others. The "Simon says" game serves as a starter, prompting students to consider whether they act autonomously or mimic their peers. The session progresses with "Copy cats," where students express their willingness to participate in online trends by using hand signals, fostering a physical connection to their choices. In "Following the leader," students work in pairs to evaluate scenarios involving children and the decision to emulate online behaviors. Finally, the "Count me in" activity allows individuals or pairs to express their level of agreement with statements about the session's topic using a scale of one to five fingers. The lesson culminates in a vote, where students cast their ballots after reviewing arguments for and against the notion that the internet encourages imitation. This structured approach not only addresses key learning objectives but also promotes critical thinking and digital literacy.